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How to Become Certified

To become MCLP certified, a landscaping professional must pass the MCLP exam. Exams are offered twice yearly in March and November. Please check our calendar of events for dates.

Preparing for the Exam

MLP offers landscape professionals working toward their Massachusetts Certified Landscape Professional (MCLP) certification a comprehensive green industry resource called the MCLP Study Guide. The 6.0 version of the Study Guide, published in 2015, presents the study material in a unique digital reference format. The online guide incorporates 1,500 pages of educational material, 400 high-quality color images and interactive tutorials.

All information on the MCLP Exam is contained in the MCLP Study Guide. Ownership of the MCLP Study Guide is required to register for the exam.

Study Guide and Exam Fee Overview

The MCLP Study Guide is available as an online resource only. Study Guide ownership is non-transferrable. Once assigned to an individual, the Study Guide login is the property of the individual and not the company.

$95....... member Study Guide$195..... non-member Study Guide

MCLP Exam$75....... member Exam$150..... non-member Exam

Re-exam(the re-exam must be taken within one calendar year of the previous exam)$50....... member re-exam $100..... non-member re-exam

Exam Format

The exam is a traditional pen and paper exam. There is no electronic version of the exam.

The exam consists of multiple choice questions and identification photos (plants, insects and diseases). Latin and common names are required on the plant identification, with partial credit given. Spelling is important.

If You Pass the Exam

Once certified, an MCLP is required to maintain his or her certification by earning ten (10) continuing education credits per year. These credits may be earned in many ways, such as:

attending MLP dinner meetings or seminars

maintaining certifications and licenses, such as a pesticide license

attending MLP or other industry safety training

maintaining current memberships in MLP or allied associations

performing industry service, such as serving on a board or speaking at an industry event

performing community service in the field

Credits are reported annually using a Recertification Tally Sheet (RTS). The RTS is due by February 15th each year for the previous calendar year.